Help with concealed carry purchase decision

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Savage34

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Hi first time poster here. Been lurking around the forum a few days. I currently have a Glock 19 which I don’t like to carry.

I plan on picking up a gun I can carry on a daily basis, in my front pocket, or maybe even my ankle.
With so many options and threads this is a very tuff decision. I would appreciate some input on what price I can expect to pay for a new gun, and comfort. These will be the two main points when making my purchase decision.

About me: I’m 5’10 170 ibs, and for work, one day I might have kakis on and be sitting at my desk taking phone calls. The next day I will have cargos or jeans on, crawling through crawl space or up on a later running different types of data cables. Also, I really can’t afford anything more than $400.

Some semi auto choices I have narrowed it down to.
  1. Keltec P3AT
  2. Ruger LCP
  3. Taurus TCP
What are the typical prices on these guns if bought new from a gun shop? Are better deals had at gun and knife shows?

Now I would prefer a Revolver, just because they are easy and reliable. The drawback for me is the price and comfort. From what I’ve read they are much more expensive, and the recoil is too much for some. Especially on the Jframe Air weight models.
I’m open to suggestions for a revolver that would be around $400, and comfortable to carry and shoot. (If this is possible) Oh if it could fire a .38 and .357 round that would be a plus just to have the option too.

Thanks,
AJ
 
My advice is to find someone who will loan or rent you some of these before you buy anything.

I think you will find that the recoil of those tiny autos can be pretty punishing even compared to the lightweight revolvers.

Try before you buy if at all possible. None of these are particularly fun to shoot.
 
First on recoil....so long as you can shoot the weapon accurately I would not worry. Just because it is your carry piece does not mean it is the gun that you will go plinking with every day.

You need to find the best trade-off between accuracy, ease of carry, comfort shooting, and capacity for YOU.

Good example, my first carry is my full size M&P 40. Nice shooter, very accurate with it. My backup type is a Keltec p11. I can shoot it accurately, it is easy to conceal, but it has a very sharp recoil to it. not fun to shoot but should I need it, I know I can accurately get rounds on target.

If you have means find a range than rents them and shoot them to get the full picture of the gun.

Also price depends on store. For example, check out Ozark Guns online store, then look at the same gun prices at say Gander Mountain. They are going to vary widely. Revolver take a good look at thew S&W bodyguard, VERY light, built in laser sight, nice feel bit to it, have not fired one.I have seen them as low as $450-ish.

Also, consider buying used. Go to a local gun store, and check the weapon out well, make sure it was well taken care of. I have a couple guns I own that are 60-100 years old and they fire as good as my new ones. A firearm properly taken care of can last a LONG time.

I can come up with what I think on various guns but really, it has to come down to what you like, everyone is different.
 
Thanks for the replies. I will call around my local gun shops to see if it is possible to rent some of those models.
 
don't just rent it and shoot it...

Try putting your choice in your pocket with a pocket holster and test how it behaves during retrieval.

When I decided to pocket carry my 1st choice was the Keltec P3AT - unfortunately it just didn't carry right in my pocket with or without a holster and it tended to get hung up on the pocket lip (jeans) when retrieving it. I ended up getting a S&W M638 revolver. Works great as a pocket gun.
 
I carry a LCP in my front pocket every day. I'm also looking into getting a LCR ( 38 or 357) to do the same thing. The LCP is a " handfull" to shoot, but it doesn't bother me enough to not carrying it. You do need to try out a few different guns to find the best match for your needs.
 
2 Cents

The Ruger LCP is a nice gun, well designed, well made..

You stated that you would prefer a revolver... I have never been a Ruger Revolver Fan, (Smithaholic, certified) however the other day Academy Sports had a Ruger LCR in 38 spcl on sale, so I took a look.

Edges nicely smoothed off for carry, nice feel, REALLY nice trigger out of the box, Light weight, nice mix of Alum and Alloys, easy on the eyes, and Crimson Trace makes laser grips for it. Wife was with me, she like it too... Bottom line, I bought it... was at the Farm the next weekend, took out a box of wads, and mangled a target at about 11 yds.. Good to go... give it a look...
(now if I could just get my wife to give it back )
 
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Thanks everyone for the input.
I stopped at a local gun shop after work.
They had 3 of the guns I was interested in. First up was the Keltec 3PAT. Great size and all, but the gun did feel cheap. Especially when taking the magazine in and out. I did make a call to a friend of mine who lives in El Paso, and he owns, and really likes it. Its his front pocket carry too. His father still lives close by, and also owns the gun. So i should be able to fire this one soon.
Next was the Ruger LCP. Same size as the Keltec, but didn't have that cheap feel to it. I liked this one the best only based on look, feel, and size.
They also had a Taurus 85 in my price range. It was a bit to thick for a front pocket carry for me.

On all the guns my pinkie finger felt out of place. Not sure what to do with it to get the best grip.
 
The Ruger LCP and S&W 642 both conceal well in the front pants pocket, with the LCP having an advantage. I use a De Santis Nemesis inside pocket holster for both. I have handled Ruger's LCR at Gun Shows and I think it would be a very good alternative to the 642. I would stay away from .357's as they would weight your pants down more. In pants pocket carry, light is great. All these little guns kick. Shoot em' to ensure they are reliable and you are familar with them and then carry them a lot. One advantage of the hammerless revolvers, as in the 642 and LCR, is that you can carry in a coat pocket and shoot through the material as it has no exposed hammer to snag on clothing.
 
I would give the Taurus model 85 "ultralight" .38Spl. a try. I carry one for my CHL, it is in that price range and shoots pretty good.
 
It looks like you in the market for a pocket .380. I just recently purcahsed a Bersa .380 CC. Thay are small, flat and hold a surprisingly 8+1. It shoots very comfortably and accurately. It also fits in a pocket of a pair of cago pants very well. And what's nice about it is that it only costed me $287 brand new!
 
I have been trying to make a decision on what to buy as a carry gun when I can't conceal my PM9.

I am really leaning towards a Kahr 380 because I like the trigger and Kahr's in general.

My other option is for about $40 more I can get an LCP (have shot, nice gun for the money) and a S&W 442/642.

I haven't figured this out yet.
 
Sorry, but get the Kahr, unless your in love with the LCP, most of the time it's the otherway around with the Kahr being the more expensive
 
Sorry, but get the Kahr, unless your in love with the LCP, most of the time it's the otherway around with the Kahr being the more expensive
The Kahr 380 is $550 to $650 locally depending on the model. The LCP is $270 and the 442/642 is $370.

I have always wanted a small revolver and the LCP is decent 380 option, so getting both of those would be a way to get my pocket 380 and my small revolver.

On the other hand, my PM9 has been nothing short of stellar and the Kahr 380 has the same smooth trigger and build quality.

I'll probably get the Kahr 380 because of the quality and my good experience with the PM9.
 
Never liked carrying in my front pocket. I use a Remora IWB. Stays in place no matter what you do. Just a suggestion when you settle on your CCW.
 
Try them for your liking.

I ended up with a S&W 642 38 Special +P w/Crimson Trace and a KelTec P-11,
9MM.
Depends on the clothes of the day and where I am going as to choice. I looked at many guns before deciding. I rented them to see how I liked them for fit and feel and then went shopping.

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